How to Treat Open Wounds on Animals

If you have pets, knowing how to treat open wounds may save your animal's life. Accidents can strike at any time, whether you're on an excursion or in the safety of your own home, and it's important to treat open wounds promptly to minimize blood loss and discomfort. Treating open wounds on pets can be tricky though, as they tend to become defensive when injured, and even an otherwise docile dog or cat may snap at you.

Things You'll Need

  • Muzzle
  • Gauze pad or sterile cloth
  • Tourniquet
  • Scissors
  • Hand soap
  • Warm water
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Wound dressing
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Instructions

  1. Control the Bleeding

    • 1

      Put a muzzle on the wounded animal. This is necessary to ensure that the animal doesn't bite you while you treat its open wound. Once the animal is muzzled, ensure that it is fully restrained and unable to move. Enlist the help of others if you're unable to control the animal on your own, and fashion a makeshift muzzle if you don't have one handy.

    • 2

      Elevate the wound if you can; this will help you control blood loss.

    • 3

      Use a sterile gauze pad or cloth to put pressure on the wound. Do not remove the gauze pad to see whether or not the bleeding has stopped, as this will only make it take longer for the wound to clot. If the gauze pad or cloth becomes saturated with blood, add a new one on top of it.

    • 4

      Apply pressure to the arteries that supply the wounded area if the bleeding is severe and shows no sign of stopping after several minutes. If a tourniquet becomes necessary to help control bleeding, make sure you relieve the pressure regularly to allow blood flow to normalize before tightening it back up.

    Sterilize and Cover the Wound

    • 5

      Clip the hair away from the site of the animal's wound after the bleeding has stopped.

    • 6

      Use regular hand soap and warm water to clean minor wounds. Apply hydrogen peroxide after cleaning with soap and water if the wound is deep or severe.

    • 7

      Treat the sterilized wound with antibiotic or antiseptic ointment.

    • 8

      Apply a clean wound dressing and take the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Monitor the animal to ensure it doesn't scratch or bite off the dressing.